Snack Tong Heads

ABSTRACT

A tongs having a pair of arms secured to each other at a first end, and each arm being secured to a head at a second end. The tongs may include a plurality of arcuate tines extending along a height axis of the head from a spine and being secured to the spine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to kitchen utensils. More specifically,the present invention relates to kitchen tongs used to handle fooditems, particularly snack foods such as potato chips, tortilla chips,pretzels et al., and various types of “finger” foods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, at social gatherings where food is served, there are avariety of serving utensils used. Large spoons and forks, spatulas,handled cups, and tongs are typically used, depending on the type andtexture of the food being served. However, when snack foods such aspotato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels et al. are served, due to thebrittle and some-what sensitive characteristics of these foods, barehands are commonly used to obtain the foods from bowls, containers orbags. Large spoons and forks, spatulas, handled cups may be inadequatein this capacity. Kitchen tongs are capable of grasping objects, but maybe too rigid and narrow to serve the foods conveniently, intact and insufficient portions.

Until the present device, prior art devices have not adequatelyaddressed this problem with serving utensils or may have failed torecognize the problem entirely. Nonetheless, the present invention isunique in that it addresses this, as well as other problems found in theprior art. By providing a kitchen tong which is sturdy, capable ofhandling a variety of items, and is sensitive to the item being handled,the present invention addresses such problems. There remains a long-feltneed for a suitable means of grasping certain foods with a utensil thatis easy to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective left view of an embodiment of a pair of tongsaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation showing a tong head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing a pair of tongs of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view in elevation showing a tong head of FIG. 3 viewedalong the axis A-A of FIG. 3.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided a tongs having a pair of arms secured to each other ata first end, and each arm being secured to a head at a second end. Thetongs may include a plurality of arcuate tines extending along a heightaxis of the head from a spine and being secured to the spine. The spineis provided along a length axis of the head, the length axis of the headand the height axis of the head are generally orthogonal and the head isadapted to grasp small food items.

There is also provided a tongs having a pair of arms operativelyconnected to each other at a first end, and each arm being operativelyconnected to a head at a second end. The tongs may include a pluralityof tines extending along a height axis of the head from a spine andbeing secured to the spine. The spine is provided along a length axis ofthe head, the length axis of the head and the height axis of the headare generally orthogonal and the head is adapted to grasp small fooditems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61,550,439, filed on Oct. 23, 2011.

Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used herein, suchas for example above, below, upper, lower, left and right, are used tofacilitate the description of the invention. Unless otherwise specifiedor made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms and otherdirectional terms should be interpreted with reference to the figure(s)under discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on theposition in which the invention or components may be used. Indeed, it iscontemplated that the components of the invention may be easilypositioned in any desired orientation for use. Likewise, numerical termssuch as for example “first”, and “second” are not intended as alimitation or to imply a sequence, unless otherwise specified or madeapparent by the context of the discussion. The term “operativelyconnected” is understood to include a linking together of the portionsunder consideration and may include a physical engagement and/or afunctional or operational connection.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4a snack tong, indicated generally at 4, according to the invention.

The term “head” may include [but is not limited to] an anteriorextremity, leading portion, and/or projecting part of an object.

The term “body” may include [but is not limited to] a mass of mattergenerally distinct from other masses.

The term “arcuate” as used in this application may be understood toinclude, but is not limited to, one or more structures or componentsgenerally arched or curved or generally shaped like a bow.

The term “flex” as used in this application may be understood toinclude, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality whichgenerally exhibits resilient or spring-like properties and/or readilydeflects and rebounds to an initial position.

The term “axis” as used in this application may be understood toinclude, but is not limited to, a generally straight line about which abody or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate. The“axis” may be a generally straight line with respect to which a body,component, or figure may be generally symmetrical. The “axis” may be areference line of a coordinate system.

While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, this disclosure will describe embodiments of the invention withthe understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodimentsillustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1 & 2, there is illustrated a kitchen utensil, namelykitchen tongs, generally designated by the numeral 4. The tongs 4 have afirst arm 8 typically pivotally connected to a second arm 12 at a pivotpoint. Generally speaking, each arm 8,12 of tongs 4 includes a bodyportion 16 and an engaging end referred to as the grasping end or head20. The pivot end of the tong may be comprised of any suitable means.Finally, the grasping end or head 20 of each arm 8,12 culminates in asomewhat cupped, ribbed food-engaging member having generally arcuateflexible tines 48 or finger-like appendages.

Referring to FIGS. 1 & 2, the grasping end or head 20 of each arm 8,12may be comprised of solid nylon. The connection between the head 20 andarm 8,12 may be made by any suitable means, including the use of rivets,epoxy or similar chemical bonding compositions, and other effectivemeans.

Additionally, other configurations of the head 20 and arm union arecertainly possible which achieve the need to provide a tong head 20which is both sufficiently rigid and sufficiently flexible to handlevarious snack food items in a delicate manner without crushing orsmashing the items.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will beapparent that changes and modifications may be made without departingfrom the broader aspects of applicants' invention. The actual scope ofthe protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claimswhen viewed in light of the drawings and text provided.

LIST OF ELEMENTS DISCUSSED

Tongs 4

First arm 8

First arm 12

Body 16

Head 20

Gap between tines 24

Curvature of head 28

Spine 32 extends length of head

Height of cap 36

Height of head 40

Thickness of tines 44

Tines 48

Height axis “H”

Length axis “L”

The tines 48 of the tongs 4 may be provided with any suitabledimensions. As shown and as may be provided in practice, the tines 48may have a length of about 0.19 inches, a thickness of about 0.07 inchesto about 0.0625 inches, and a height of about 2.58 inches. The tines aregenerally thicker at the proximal aspect, closer to the spine, than atthe distal aspect. The tines generally flex, particularly along theheight dimension of the head.

The gap 24 defined between two tines 48 of the tongs 4 may be about 0.13inches in length.

The head 20 of the tongs 4 may be about 3.9 inches in length.

The cap 36 of the tongs 4 may be about 0.25 inches in height.

The ratio of the height of the tines 48 to the length of the tines maybe about 13.58.

The ratio of the height of the tines 48 to the thickness of the tines 48may be about 36.86.

The ratio of the length of the gap 24 defined between two tines 48 ofthe tongs 4 and the length of the tines 48 of the tongs 4 may be about0.6842.

The ratio of the height of the cap 36 of the tongs 4 to the height ofthe tines 48 of the tongs 4 may be about 0.0969.

The ratio of the length of the head 20 of the tongs 4 to the height ofthe tines 48 of the tongs 4 may be about 1.5116.

The definitions provided herein are solely to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention—not to limit the invention. The inventionmay be made from any suitable material and by any suitable method. Theinvention may be adapted to fit a wide variety of uses. It will beappreciated that the components of the invention may be easily modifiedas needed to accommodate varying sizes and shapes.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and to the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the accompanying description or illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Thedisclosure may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of otherstructures, methods and systems for carrying out the present invention.It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as includingequivalent constructions. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstractis to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the publicgenerally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners inthe art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology,to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence ofthe technical disclosure of the application. The abstract and disclosureare neither intended to define the invention of the application, whichis measured by the claims, nor are they intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the invention in any way.

1. A tongs comprising: a pair of arms secured to each other at a firstend, and each arm being secured to a head at a second end; a pluralityof arcuate tines extending along a height axis of the head from a spineand being secured to the spine; and wherein the spine is provided alonga length axis of the head, the length axis of the head and the heightaxis of the head are generally orthogonal and the head is adapted tograsp small food items.
 2. The tongs of claim 1 wherein the plurality oftines generally flex.
 3. The tongs of claim 2 wherein the plurality oftines define a plurality of spaces there between.
 4. The tongs of claim3 wherein the ratio of the height of the plurality of tines to thelength of the tines is about 13.58.
 5. The tongs of claim 4 wherein theratio of the height of the plurality of tines to the thickness of thetines is about 36.86.
 6. The tongs of claim 1 wherein the plurality oftines define a plurality of spaces there between, the spaces beingprovided along the length axis of the head, and the ratio of the lengthof the spaces to the length of the plurality of tines is about 0.68. 7.The tongs of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the height of the spine to theheight of the head is about 0.10.
 8. The tongs of claim 1 wherein theratio of the length of the spine to the height of the head is about1.51.
 9. The tongs of claim 1 wherein the plurality of tines generallyflex and the plurality of tines define a plurality of spaces therebetween, the spaces being provided along the length axis of the head,and the ratio of the length of the spaces to the length of the tines isabout 0.68.
 10. The tongs of claim 9 wherein the ratio of the height ofthe spine to the height of the head is about 0.10 and the tongs of claim1 wherein the ratio of the length of the spine to the height of the headis about 1.51.
 11. A tongs comprising: a pair of arms operativelyconnected to each other at a first end, and each arm being operativelyconnected to a head at a second end; a plurality of tines extendingalong a height axis of the head from a spine and being secured to thespine; and wherein the spine is provided along a length axis of thehead, the length axis of the head and the height axis of the head aregenerally orthogonal and the head is adapted to grasp small food items.12. The tongs of claim 11 wherein the tines generally flex.
 13. Thetongs of claim 12 wherein the plurality of tines define a plurality ofspaces there between.
 14. The tongs of claim 13 wherein the ratio of theheight of the tines to the length of the tines is about 13.58.
 15. Thetongs of claim 14 wherein the ratio of the height of the tines to thethickness of the tines is about 36.86.
 16. The tongs of claim 11 whereinthe plurality of tines define a plurality of spaces there between, thespaces being provided along the length axis of the head, and the ratioof the length of the spaces to the length of the tines is about 0.68.17. The tongs of claim 11 wherein the ratio of the height of the spineto the height of the head is about 0.10.
 18. The tongs of claim 11wherein the ratio of the length of the spine to the height of the headis about 1.51.
 19. The tongs of claim 11 wherein the plurality of tinesgenerally flex and the plurality of tines define a plurality of spacesthere between, the spaces being provided along the length axis of thehead, and the ratio of the length of the spaces to the length of thetines is about 0.68.
 20. The tongs of claim 19 wherein the ratio of theheight of the spine to the height of the head is about 0.10 and thetongs of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the length of the spine to theheight of the head is about 1.51.